Threat of deflation among major challenges for next finance minister

15 Sept 10:33 Key points summarised by AI

Combat Deflationary Pressures: The new finance minister must address the looming threat of deflation, stemming from persistent negative inflation, sluggish economic growth, and the impact of cheap Chinese imports, which could severely hinder Thailand's recovery.
Manage Fiscal Responsibility & Digital Handout: A critical task involves navigating the controversial 500 billion baht digital wallet scheme, balancing its economic stimulus goals against concerns over its funding, potential to escalate public debt, and the existing revenue shortfall.
Revitalize Stagnant Economy & Markets: The minister faces the challenge of boosting Thailand's decade-long sluggish economic growth and restoring confidence in a struggling stock market plagued by corporate governance issues and bond defaults, requiring significant reforms.
Address Long-Term Structural Issues: Beyond immediate concerns, the role demands tackling deeper structural problems like a declining and underskilled workforce, and improving the investment climate to attract foreign direct investment amidst a negative image regarding rule of law.

Examining Thailand’s four-part education revolution

Today 14:22 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand's Education Ministry is implementing a four-pronged strategy to address its students' below-average performance in PISA 2025 and tackle significant educational inequality.
The plan prioritizes closing performance gaps by increasing funding for small and low-income schools, overhauling the curriculum to foster critical thinking, and adopting a data-driven management system to reduce teacher workload.
Key initiatives include enhancing school safety, combating cyberbullying, and expanding mental health support through peer-to-peer networks, recognizing the severe impact of distress on academic performance.
An education expert advises verifying if PISA improvements stem from structural changes, advocating for a revived STEM curriculum with practical 'learn by doing' methods, and urging bureaucratic reform to link teacher evaluations to student development.